Many have heard about the public dispute between Viacom and Time Warner, as a threatened blackout caused many viewers to cry out in protest. However, a settlement was reached that let Time Warner keep the 19 channels that Viacom was pulling, including such popular ones as MTV, Comedy Central, and Nickelodeon.

Approximately 13.3 million homes would have been affected by the dispute, 13.3 million households that can now rest assured they will be able to view Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants.

The Chief Executive of Time Warner Cable, Glenn Britt, said “We are pleased that our customers will continue to be able to watch the programming they enjoy on MTV Networks.” He added, “We are sorry they had to endure a day of public disagreement as we worked through this negotiation.”

The Chief Executive of Viacom, Philippe Dauman, also had some things to say regarding the settlement. He commented, “It’s gratifying that we could reach an agreement that benefits not only our audiences but that is also in the best interest of both of our companies.”

The settlement is mutually beneficial, as it could have been mutually negative. A media analyst said it would be “mutually assured destruction” if Time Warner lost subscribers and Viacom lost advertising revenue. However, all things work for the best, and New Years brought about a new contract. This could have been bad for Time Warner, as “Viacom’s cable networks are among the most popular on cable television,” according to Michael Nathanson of Bernstein Research. Approximately 25 percent of cable customers view a Viacom channel in a normal day, he added.

Previous to the settlement, Dauman commented that “We are not asking for unreasonable increases.” He added, “All of our networks put together cost less than the regional sports networks that they provide.” Thankfully, an agreement was reached where viewers can still access Viacom channels with Time Warner.

This holiday season brought about a surge of inexpensive HDTVs, and if that’s what Santa brought you this year, then you have even more options in front of you than ever before. Now you can get more HD channels from Time Warner Cable, for free! If you subscribe to Time Warner’s cable service, you now get 50 high definition channels total, 16 more than last month. Plus, in January Time Warner is planning on adding eight more to the lineup.

To get the HD programming you’ll need a HD set-top box, which is in the same price range as a digital box, so all you need to do is switch boxes. Judy Barbao, spokeswoman for Time Warner said, “If you had your HDTV set and didn’t switch out your box, you would not be getting the shows. It’s not as simple as switching out your television sets.”

With HD there is a whole new world to digital programming. Barbao puts it perfectly when she claims, “It is a strikingly better picture in HD.” She adds, “The digital quality is great, but the HD quality is amazing. There is a very marked difference between the two.”

Many channels also offer the Start Over option, which lets you watch a show from the beginning, without having to record it, and even if it’s not over yet. Barbao said, “People love it because it just frees you up from having to set up a recording device.” She added, “Even though a lot of customers have DVR, there are times when you just don’t remember to do it, or something’s on that you didn’t know was on.” Time Warner keeps on top of the competition, and as Barbao said, “All of that is on the horizon and something the company is working on.”

HBO, the Time Warner Inc. pay-cable network, is teaming up with Oprah Winfrey’s Harpo Inc. to produce for the network. This will begin next year, and will bring original movies, miniseries, and series from Winfrey’s film unit.

Winfrey’s deal with ABC expires this year, while this deal with HBO will last 3 years. The President of Harpo Films, Kate Forte, said during a conference call, “I think you will see an eclectic side of Harpo. This call announced the HBO accord and she added, “I would love to expand the range of stories.” She then continued to list documentaries that Harpo would consider pursuing with HBO.

Though this change may gain a few viewers, executives are saying that this deal does not signal a different direction. President of HBO’s programming group, Michael Lombardo, said “This was not a decision certainly by HBO to change our programming mix. It just continues us with where we’ve been with a new partner.”

Oprah Winfrey also made a different deal a year ago with Discovery Communications Inc. to produce The Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN). This channel launches in late 2009 or early 2010, but Discovery Communications sees this new deal with HBO as beneficial rather than conflicting. A Discovery spokesman said the company “Could not be more supportive” of the deal, and claims that Discovery sees it “Accruing to the benefit of OWN and the Oprah brand.”

The Golf/Versus Channels in high definition are splitting, which means you get more sports options as a viewer. Time Warner announced that the high definition Golf Channel will be aired on channel 772, while Versus HD is going to stay on its original channel of 771. Time Warner customers even get an added bonus from this alteration: it is free! These new channels are going to be on the free high definition tier, so Time Warner customers can watch all the golf available, for free. Now you’ll get more overall sports, with no price tag attached.

The WNY Division President of Time Warner Cable, Terence Rafferty, said “Time Warner Cable knows our customers value high definition programming, and this split of Versus and Golf will provide two new options for sports fans. The number of top tier channels available in HD has more than doubled this year and we are pleased to offer these additional options for our customers.” Now Time Warner customers get more, for less.

Time Warner customers can view the simulcast of The Golf Channel in high definition, so they can be sure to get the clearest picture and quality programming. You receive a wide selection of programming related to golfing, including tournaments, tours, and various events. If you like watching the PGA Tour, the Nationwide Tour, the European Tour, the Champions Tour, the LPGA Tour, the Canadian Tour, and the PGA Tour of Australasia events, you’re in luck. You can also enjoy the PGA of America and USGA tournaments.

For the other side of golf, Versus HD can deliver exclusive live events and the highest level of competition with unique shows. With the split between The Golf/Versus Channels, you now get more sports options as a viewer.

Time Warner is making a top-notch addition to its line-up, the Bravo channel. Now Time Warner customers in the Triangle can get all the entertainment they need at their fingertips. This means that such popular shows as “Project Runway” and “Top Chef” will be available starting on December 31st, so the next year will be full of new and exciting shows for Time Warner subscribers. Bravo will be on channel 72 to subscribers of either standard or digital cable packages.

This development has been years in the making, as Bravo’s parent NBC has only just now added it to local programming. The Raleigh spokeswoman for Time Warner, Melissa Buscher, has mentioned how this has been the most requested channel for years now. She added, “We’re so pleased to finally have it.”

What is questionable, however, is whether Time Warner customers will be able to enjoy “Project Runway” for long. Right now producers are doing legal battle for airing rights, and it is uncertain if “Project Runway” will complete the move from Bravo to Lifetime. The channel that was previously on channel 72, the Inspirations/EWTN channel, is moving to 194, so customers can still view that with their digital package.

Time Warner is committed to delivering the ultimate in entertainment to their customers and this acquisition is another step in that direction. With Bravo in the line-up, Time Warner will deliver the popular shows that customers enjoy, which is a benefit to everyone involved.